Passengers have been urged to be vigilant as scammers are robbing frustrated travellers going upcountry to enjoy the New Year.

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On Sunday afternoon, December 31, The New Times visited some bus parks in Kigali, where commuters were being transported to various parts of the country. There, passengers shared testimonies about theft, and how they grappled with obtaining tickets.

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Consolée Uwimana was coming from the Eastern Province to Ngororero District in the Western Province when a conman promised to help her get a ticket.

She was crying with a baby on her back after her belongings were stolen while trying to get a ticket at Kigali Pelé Stadium in Nyamirambo.

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Kigali Pelé Stadium in Nyamirambo is one of the four locations in the capital selected to transport travellers going to the countryside since Friday, December 29.

"I went to Nyabugogo bus terminal hoping that I could get a bus from there. After arriving there I was directed to Nyamirambo Stadium. One man promised to take me to the site where tickets were being issued.

As I was trying to get a ticket, he had my handbag and immediately vanished with it. The money, my mobile phone, and my identity card were stolen. I was in a dilemma wondering how I would manage to go to Ngororero District,” she recounted.

Uwimana was fortunately given Rwf5,000 by a kind passenger to buy a ticket to be able to reach home.

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According to testimonies, there have been other cases of theft as different people struggle to get tickets.

"In the morning, I saw another woman and a boy complaining after being robbed, the thieves pretended to be passengers with a target to steal from travellers,” said Alexis Kwezera, a beverage vendor at the bus park.

There were long queues of passengers at Kigali Pelé Stadium in Nyamirambo. Some had gotten a ticket but others had not secured any by 4pm.

"I might go back to Gikondo if I do not get the ticket. I have waited for a long time,” said Therese Ayingeneye who was seeking a ticket to the Southern Province.

Police deployed at bus parks

Meanwhile, the police were deployed to ensure security at four locations in the capital that were designated for transporting travellers to the countryside.

Vulnerable people such as pregnant women and the elderly were being facilitated to get tickets.

Police and transport companies’ agents urged all passengers to be vigilant and watch their belongings so that they are not affected by those intending to steal.

There were no long queues of travellers at the Nyabugogo bus terminal whereas there were a few buses at Kigali Pelé Stadium in Nyamirambo.

However, at 3pm, some passengers were being given a ticket to depart at 7pm.

Travellers heading to Southern and Western provinces in the districts of Nyamasheke, Rusizi, Karongi, Ngororero and Rutsiro through Karongi will book buses from Kigali Pelé Stadium in Nyamirambo.

Commuters going to Eastern Province through Kabuga will use Kabuga Bus Park, while those not mentioned in the announcement will take buses from the Nyabugogo bus terminal and Nyanza Bus Park in Kicukiro.

Emmanuel Asaba Katabarwa, the city engineer, urged passengers to book by buying tickets earlier to avoid any inconvenience going upcountry.

"This helps in planning buses to avail transport to passengers when going upcountry and when coming back,” he said.